(I’m working on the till in a branch of a well-known chain of coffee shops. The sizes of the drinks are tall, grande, and venti instead of small, medium and large.)

Me: “Hello, welcome to [coffee shop]. What can I get you?”

Customer: “I’ll have a latte to go, please.”

Me: “Of course, sir. What size latte?”

Customer: “Just a small one.”

Me:mumbling as I write the order* “Tall latte–”

Customer: “No! I said small, not tall.”

Me: “A tall drink is small, sir.”

Customer: “No, I don’t want a tall drink. I just want a latte in the smallest size you have.”

Me:*apologetic* “My mistake, sir. One small latte coming up.”

(The customer pays me for his drink and I direct him to the end of the bar to wait for his coffee whilst my coworker makes it for him. When it is ready, my coworker places it on the bar in front of the customer and asks if the “Tall Latte” is his.)

Customer:*at full volume* “You people can’t do anything right! I asked for a SMALL coffee several times. This isn’t my drink but I don’t have time for you to remake it because I’m late for work. I will be calling in tomorrow and if you get it wrong again I will have you both fired!” *storms out*